are you ready to evangelize the world? copyright norman geisler 2010

Are You ReadyAre You ReadyTo Evangelize the World?To Evangelize the World?

Copyright Norman Geisler 2010Copyright Norman Geisler 2010

Are You ReadyAre You ReadyTo Evangelize the World?To Evangelize the World?

Copyright Norman Geisler 2010Copyright Norman Geisler 2010

The World The World is not Ready to be is not Ready to be

EvangelizedEvangelized

The World The World is not Ready to be is not Ready to be

EvangelizedEvangelized

I. The ProblemI. The ProblemI. The ProblemI. The Problem

I. The ProblemI. The ProblemA. The ContrastA. The Contrast




The Bible AffirmsThe Bible AffirmsThe Bible AffirmsThe Bible Affirms The Culture AffirmsThe Culture AffirmsThe Culture AffirmsThe Culture Affirms



The Bible AffirmsThe Bible AffirmsTruth Can be KnownTruth Can be Known


The Culture AffirmsThe Culture AffirmsTruth Can’t be KnownTruth Can’t be Known





Truth is AbsoluteTruth is Absolute




Truth is RelativeTruth is Relative







Not Every View is Not Every View is TrueTrue






Every View is True Every View is True









Christ is the Only Christ is the Only WayWay




Christ is the Only Christ is the Only WayWay




Christ isn’t the Only Christ isn’t the Only WayWay




Christ isn’t the Only Christ isn’t the Only WayWay

I. The ProblemI. The ProblemB. The ConclusionB. The Conclusion


We are preaching:We are preaching:

We are preaching:We are preaching:



We are preaching:We are preaching: A certain message in an uncertain ageA certain message in an uncertain age





An absolute truth to a relativistic timeAn absolute truth to a relativistic time







An exclusive claim in a pluralistic contextAn exclusive claim in a pluralistic context









In short:In short: Our message is a misfit with our Our message is a misfit with our

milieu!milieu!




In short:In short: Our message is a misfit with our Our message is a misfit with our

milieu!milieu!

II. The SolutionII. The SolutionII. The SolutionII. The Solution• A. Two alternativesA. Two alternatives

– 1. Change the message to fit the milieu.1. Change the message to fit the milieu.– 2. Change the milieu to fit the message.2. Change the milieu to fit the message.

• B. The right alternative: ApologeticsB. The right alternative: Apologetics We Must Defend the Truth to our Times We Must Defend the Truth to our Times ““I am set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17).I am set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17).

““Know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6).Know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6).

““Give a reason for the hope within you” (1Pet. 3:15).Give a reason for the hope within you” (1Pet. 3:15).

““Contend for the Faith once for all delivered to the Contend for the Faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).saints” (Jude 3).

• A. Two alternativesA. Two alternatives – 1. Change the message to fit the milieu.1. Change the message to fit the milieu.– 2. Change the milieu to fit the message.2. Change the milieu to fit the message.

• B. The right alternative: ApologeticsB. The right alternative: Apologetics We Must Defend the Truth to our Times We Must Defend the Truth to our Times ““I am set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17).I am set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17).

““Know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6).Know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6).

““Give a reason for the hope within you” (1Pet. 3:15).Give a reason for the hope within you” (1Pet. 3:15).

““Contend for the Faith once for all delivered to the Contend for the Faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).saints” (Jude 3).

II. The SolutionII. The SolutionII. The SolutionII. The Solution

•We must defend:We must defend:– Realism--Realism--the knowability of truththe knowability of truth

•We must defend:We must defend:– Realism--Realism--the knowability of truththe knowability of truth


•We must defend:We must defend:– Realism--Realism--the knowability of truththe knowability of truth– Absolutism--Absolutism--the non-relativity of truththe non-relativity of truth

•We must defend:We must defend:– Realism--Realism--the knowability of truththe knowability of truth– Absolutism--Absolutism--the non-relativity of truththe non-relativity of truth


•We must defend:We must defend:– Realism--Realism--the knowability of truththe knowability of truth– Absolutism--Absolutism--the non-relativity of truththe non-relativity of truth– Exclusivism--Exclusivism--the exclusivity of truththe exclusivity of truth

•We must defend:We must defend:– Realism--Realism--the knowability of truththe knowability of truth– Absolutism--Absolutism--the non-relativity of truththe non-relativity of truth– Exclusivism--Exclusivism--the exclusivity of truththe exclusivity of truth

The Outline:The Outline:The Outline:The Outline:

• A. What is Truth?A. What is Truth?• B. Can Truth be Known?B. Can Truth be Known?• C. Can All Views be True?C. Can All Views be True?• D. Which View is True?D. Which View is True?

• A. What is Truth?A. What is Truth?• B. Can Truth be Known?B. Can Truth be Known?• C. Can All Views be True?C. Can All Views be True?• D. Which View is True?D. Which View is True?

What is Truth?What is Truth?What is Truth?What is Truth?

What is Truth?What is Truth?

Truth is what:Truth is what:-Tells it like it is-Tells it like it is


Truth is what:Truth is what:-Tells it like it is-Tells it like it is


Truth is what:Truth is what:-Tells it like it is-Tells it like it is-Corresponds to the facts-Corresponds to the facts


Truth is what:Truth is what:-Tells it like it is-Tells it like it is-Corresponds to the facts-Corresponds to the facts


Truth is what:Truth is what:-Tells it like it is-Tells it like it is-Corresponds to the facts-Corresponds to the facts-Matches its object-Matches its object


Truth is what:Truth is what:-Tells it like it is-Tells it like it is-Corresponds to the facts-Corresponds to the facts-Matches its object-Matches its object

A true statement matches its A true statement matches its objectobject

““This object is a table.”This object is a table.”

What is False?What is False?

False is what does not: False is what does not: -Tell it like it is-Tell it like it is


False is what does not: False is what does not: -Tell it like it is-Tell it like it is


False is what does not: False is what does not: -Tell it like it is-Tell it like it is -Correspond to the facts-Correspond to the facts





-Match its object -Match its object



-Match its object -Match its object

How Do We Know?How Do We Know?Because iBecause it is Self-defeating to Deny Itt is Self-defeating to Deny It

““I can’t speak a word in I can’t speak a word in English.”English.”

Isn’t that in English?”Isn’t that in English?”

““Truth is not telling like it Truth is not telling like it is!”is!”

Is Truth Telling it like it is?Is Truth Telling it like it is?

““Isn’t Isn’t that that telling it like it telling it like it is?”is?”

““No one knows the No one knows the truth!”truth!”

Can We Know the Truth?Can We Know the Truth?

““Then how do you know Then how do you know thatthat is true?” is true?”

““There is no absolute There is no absolute truth!”truth!”

IS Truth Absolute?IS Truth Absolute?

““Is that Is that absolutelyabsolutely true?” true?”

Is Truth Absolute?Is Truth Absolute?

““It’s true for you but not It’s true for you but not for me!”for me!”

““Is Is that that just true for you just true for you but not for everyone?”but not for everyone?”

Are All Views True?Are All Views True?Are All Views True?Are All Views True?•The Pluralists claim they The Pluralists claim they

are.are.•Consider the elephant Consider the elephant

story: story:

•The Pluralists claim they The Pluralists claim they are.are.

•Consider the elephant Consider the elephant story: story:

Are All Are All TheseThese Vews Vews True?True?

Are All Are All TheseThese Vews Vews True?True?

Except the one with its

eyes open to the truth!

Except the one with its

eyes open to the truth!

And the absolute truth is: This is an elephant!

And the absolute truth is: This is an elephant!

All Religions Can’t Be All Religions Can’t Be True: They Teach True: They Teach

OppositesOpposites

All Religions Can’t Be All Religions Can’t Be True: They Teach True: They Teach

OppositesOpposites

Islam with Christianity Islam with Christianity

Let’s contrast:Let’s contrast:

ISLAM GOD: Only one person

ISLAM GOD: Only one person

CHRISTIANITYGOD: 3 persons in one God

CHRISTIANITYGOD: 3 persons in one God

HUMANITY: Sinful by natureHUMANITY: Sinful by natureHUMANITY: Good by natureHUMANITY: Good by nature

JESUS: Merely a man, not God.JESUS: Merely a man, not God.

DEATH OF CHRIST: He didn’t die or rise againDEATH OF CHRIST: He didn’t die or rise again

SALVATION: By works when good deeds outweigh bad onesSALVATION: By works when good deeds outweigh bad ones

JESUS: More than a man; He was also God.JESUS: More than a man; He was also God.

DEATH OF CHRIST: He died and rose again in same bodyDEATH OF CHRIST: He died and rose again in same body

SALVATION: Not by works but is a free gift of God for all who believe

SALVATION: Not by works but is a free gift of God for all who believe

BIBLE: CorruptedBIBLE: Corrupted BIBLE: Not corruptedBIBLE: Not corrupted

HowHow to Tell a to Tell a CounterfeitCounterfeit

Not byNot by superficial superficial similaritiessimilarities

But byBut by crucial differencescrucial differences

Yes.Yes. So do a counterfeit and a So do a counterfeit and a genuine $20 Bill.genuine $20 Bill.

1) Both are paper.1) Both are paper.

2) Both are rectangular.2) Both are rectangular.

3) Both have a “20” on them.3) Both have a “20” on them.

But one is a counterfeit!But one is a counterfeit!

Yes.Yes. So do a counterfeit and a So do a counterfeit and a genuine $20 Bill.genuine $20 Bill.

1) Both are paper.1) Both are paper.

2) Both are rectangular.2) Both are rectangular.

3) Both have a “20” on them.3) Both have a “20” on them.

But one is a counterfeit!But one is a counterfeit!

But Don’t They Have Things in Common?

But Don’t They Have Things in Common?

““Opposites can both be Opposites can both be true.”true.”

Opposites Can’t Both be TrueOpposites Can’t Both be TrueOpposites Can’t Both be TrueOpposites Can’t Both be True

““Is the opposite of that Is the opposite of that true?”true?”

Opposite ideas cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense.

Opposite ideas cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense.

The Opposite of True is False(The Law of Non-Contradiction)

The Opposite of True is False(The Law of Non-Contradiction)

The Earth is RoundThe Earth is Round The Earth is not Round The Earth is not Round

http://www.school.gr/world.htm

http://www.school.gr/world.htm

Sure-Fire Way to Convince a Skeptic!

“Anyone who denies the law of non-contradiction should be beaten and burned until he admits that to be beaten is not the same as not to be beaten,

and to be burned is not the same as not to be burned.”

(Avicenna, Great Muslim Philosopher)

Sure-Fire Way to Convince a Skeptic!

“Anyone who denies the law of non-contradiction should be beaten and burned until he admits that to be beaten is not the same as not to be beaten,

and to be burned is not the same as not to be burned.”

(Avicenna, Great Muslim Philosopher)

1. Can all religions be true? No, they teach opposites! And opposites can’t both be true.

2. Do other religions have some truth? Yes, but since the opposite of true is false, if one religion is true, then all opposing beliefs in other religions are false.

3. Can one religion be true: Yes, if we take off our blinders and see which religion corresponds to reality.

1. Can all religions be true? No, they teach opposites! And opposites can’t both be true.

2. Do other religions have some truth? Yes, but since the opposite of true is false, if one religion is true, then all opposing beliefs in other religions are false.

3. Can one religion be true: Yes, if we take off our blinders and see which religion corresponds to reality.

SummarySummary

Is There Really OnlyIs There Really Only Is There Really OnlyIs There Really Only

Look at the Facts Look at the Facts Look at the Facts Look at the Facts

• Jesus claimed itJesus claimed it

• Jesus proved ItJesus proved It

• Jesus claimed itJesus claimed it

• Jesus proved ItJesus proved It

Jesus Claimed ItJesus Claimed It

John 14:6:John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”except through me.”

John 10:1,9:John 10:1,9: “I tell you the truth, the man “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber….way, is a thief and a robber…. I am the I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.”saved.”

John 14:6:John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”except through me.”

John 10:1,9:John 10:1,9: “I tell you the truth, the man “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber….way, is a thief and a robber…. I am the I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.”saved.”

His Disciples Affirmed ItHis Disciples Affirmed It

Acts 4:12:Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”must be saved.”

1Tim 2:5:1Tim 2:5: “For there is one God and one “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus….” man Christ Jesus….”

Acts 4:12:Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”must be saved.”

1Tim 2:5:1Tim 2:5: “For there is one God and one “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus….” man Christ Jesus….”

1. Fulfilling Prophecies

2. Living a Sinless and Miraculous Life

3. His Death and Resurrection

No other religious leader did this!

1. Fulfilling Prophecies

2. Living a Sinless and Miraculous Life

3. His Death and Resurrection

No other religious leader did this!

Jesus Proved It By:Jesus Proved It By:

MUHAMMAD

Not Virgin Born

MUHAMMAD

Not Virgin BornJESUS

Virgin Born

JESUS

Virgin Born

SinlessSinlessNot Sinless Not Sinless

Not MessiahNot Messiah Called MessiahCalled Messiah

Did MiraclesDid MiraclesNo MiraclesNo Miracles

Body in GraveBody in Grave Body in HeavenBody in Heaven

ACCORDING TO ISLAMACCORDING TO ISLAM

Are You Ready:Are You Ready:To Evangelize the World?To Evangelize the World?

Only if you can pre-Only if you can pre-evangelizeevangelize

Because most of the rest Because most of the rest of the world holds: of the world holds:

Agnosticism Agnosticism RelativismRelativismPluralismPluralism

Are You Ready:Are You Ready:To Evangelize the World?To Evangelize the World?

Only if you can pre-Only if you can pre-evangelizeevangelize

Because most of the rest Because most of the rest of the world holds: of the world holds:

Agnosticism Agnosticism RelativismRelativismPluralismPluralism

are you ready to evangelize the world? copyright norman geisler 2010

Documents

absolute truth

true slide

uncertain age slide

problem slide

certain message

relative slide

way slide

contrast slide